A/HRC/34/50/Add.1 23. Nevertheless, members of the Jewish community of Denmark also expressed concerns and a general feeling that the space for their religious practice has been shrinking in recent years. One example is the ban on ritual slaughter without prior stunning of the animal, enacted in February 2014. In practice, this does not prevent Jews from having access to kosher meat, since anyone can still import it from other countries; the same is true for Muslims who import halal meat. However, the ban may put at risk their right to practise their religion when it comes to dietary requirements, as other countries might follow in the prohibition of ritual slaughter without prior stunning of the animal. 24. By far, the biggest worry articulated by representatives of the Jewish Community of Denmark however stems from public demands for outlawing religiously-motivated circumcision of male infants. Those who brought up this concern are afraid that the increasing social hostility towards the practice is putting growing pressure on members of Parliament to impose a legal ban. Worldwide, no State currently forbids this practice in general, and the likelihood that Denmark would actually take such a step seems somewhat remote. However, public demands to outlaw the circumcision of boys have already greatly changed the societal atmosphere. According to opinion polls, a broad majority of the Danish population would favour a ban on circumcision of underage boys, and organizations of medical doctors in Denmark, child rights organizations and the non-governmental organization “Intact” have been very vocal in demanding legislative action in this direction. For most of the religiously practising Jews and Muslims, this would have far-reaching consequences. While Muslims, too, widely practise male circumcision and see it as an essential part of their religious identity, the significance for Jews may be even higher. Although there has always been discussion also within the Jewish community itself, and although some Jewish parents — usually non-religious, “secularized” Jews — decide against circumcising their boys, the overwhelming majority of religiously practising Jews worldwide understand the circumcision of newborn boys as a cornerstone of Jewish identity. Through the practice of circumcision, they see themselves in continuity with their forefathers throughout three millenniums. This is by far the predominant view shared by religious Jews across the various orthodox, conservative and liberal currents within Judaism. For many Jews, a formal ban of circumcision would signal no less that they cannot stay in that country. 25. The effect of the current discussion is very much felt, especially in social media, which can assume an extremely aggressive tone. One member of the Jewish community of Denmark told the Special Rapporteur that he and his wife were currently expecting another child. When it became clear that it would be a girl, they felt very relieved since this would spare them “questioning looks”. This example illustrates that public calls for prohibiting circumcision, apart from the question of whether a ban will ever become reality, have already had an impact on the Jewish community of Denmark. This is similarly true for Muslims in Denmark, who also struggle with many other challenges. 26. The issue of circumcision is complex and has many medical, psychological, cultural and religious facets. Controversies exist concerning all these different aspects of the phenomenon. Within the human rights community, too, the circumcision of underage boys has led to an ongoing polarization. It is natural that the issue also becomes a topic of public debate in any democratic country where circumcision is practised, not only in Denmark. However, it is all the more important that those engaging in public debate be aware of the sensitive character of the theme and how deeply it affects many Jews and Muslims in their religious identities. 27. Another topic raised by the Jewish Community of Denmark is the increasing hostility that Jews experience whenever the situation in the Middle East escalates, such as during the Gaza crisis in the summer of 2014. This is an issue that certainly warrants attention, in order for the Jewish community to further feel safe and at home in Denmark. It 8